View videos below from OPAN’s symposium Building Human Rights into Aged Care from Friday 6th November 2020

There is a clear need for change in the way Australia approaches aged care.

This fact has only been emphasised by the global pandemic, during which we have demonstrated the immense vulnerability of older people receiving aged care. Residential aged care facilities in particular have been hit hardest, with outbreaks resulting in the tragic deaths, and neglect of many older people.

How do we change it?

We put human rights at the centre of the aged care system.

The symposium will give you an opportunity to hear from leading thinkers in this space.

Hosted by award-winning journalist, Ellen Fanning, with a fantastic line up of speakers. View videos from the event below.

• Dr Kay Patterson, Age Discrimination Commissioner, Human Rights Commission
• Jean Kitsson, writer and comedian
• Professor Joe Ibrahim, academic, researcher
• Kate Swaffer, Chair, CEO & Co-founder, Dementia Alliance International
• Val Fell, advocate for people living with dementia
• Pamella Vernon, a Forgotten Australian
• Anika Stobart, Associate, Grattan Institute
• Dr John Chesterman, Deputy Public Advocate in Victoria
• Dr Bethany Brown, International Human Rights practitioner
• Daniella Greenwood, Consultant, speaker, Author and Activist
• Adjunct Professor Stephen Cornelissen, Group CEO of Mercy Health & Director Global Ageing Network

Download the communique here

WELCOME AND OPENING REMARKS
Ellen Fanning – Award-winning journalist
Craig Gear – CEO, OPAN

PRESENTATION A lived experience of rights
Val Fell – Advocate for people living with dementia
On what human rights in aged care would mean to her.

KEYNOTE ADDRESS The fundamentals and challenges of human rights in Australia and aged care
Dr Kay Patterson, Age Discrimination Commissioner, Human Rights Commission
Introduction to human rights and a human rights framework.

PANEL DISCUSSION Why we need to build a human rights framework into aged care
Professor Joe Ibrahim – Academic researcher, teacher, and a practising senior medical specialist in geriatric medicine with over 30 years of clinical experience.
Dr John Chesterman – Deputy Public Advocate, Office of the Public Advocate, Victoria
Dr Catherine Barrett – Director Celebrate Ageing
Professor Wendy Lacey (FAAL) – Executive Dean, Faculty of Business, Government & Law at University of Canberra

PRESENTATION Lived experience of rights
Kate Swaffer, Chair, CEO & Co-founder Dementia Alliance International

PRESENTATION Framing human rights & aged care in Australia
Anika Stobart – Associate at Grattan Institute
Presenting the Grattan Institute’s research, ‘Rethinking aged care: Emphasising the rights of older Australians’

PRESENTATION A lived experience of rights
Pamela Vernon – forgotten Australian
Speaks about her lived experience, and what she thinks needs to be included in aged care.

Summary of discussions in response to the prompts:

• Why do we need a human rights framework in aged care?
• What difference would a human rights framework make?
• What can we add to the Grattan Institute’s research?